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JOURNAL OF THE KOVAL HORTIOULTUKAL SOCIETY. 



fitted for such experiments, and it was found that a majority of the grains, 

 and either a minority oi- an equal numher of the incipient seeds, were 

 functionally incapable. Hence the need of a plurality of grains to 

 secure fertilisation. Furthermore, from the fact that an abundance of 

 applied pollen, over and above a sufficiency to secure fertilisation, led to 

 stronger progeny, it is assumed that there arises thereby a competition 

 l)etween the grains, the most \'igorous the soonest reaching the ovary by 

 means of its tube. The race being to the strongest, the offspring profits 

 accordingly. Such an experience certainly merits particular attention, 

 and should be followed up by furtlun- trials for confirmation or otherwise. 



C. T. D. 



Royal AcnacuLTuiiAL Society. 



Botanist, Annual Report for 1900 of the Consulting*. W. 



Carruthers (Journ. Eoy. Afjric. Soc. Kmjl. vol. Ixi. (1900), pp. T-Jl-Tll). 

 — This article deals with diseases of plants, Ergot, which was supposed 

 to have .caused abortion, some noxious weeds and microfungi, of which 

 the following may be noted : — 



Fusicladiitin ])yrimim (fig. 1, A to G). — This fungus is for the first 

 time reported as injurious to the Pear in this country. It appeared in 

 little brown velvety [)atclu's, which si)read rapidly, seriously injuring tlie 

 leaves. The fruits had been attacked at an early stage, and were 

 shrivelled and dried up beyond hope of recovery. . . . Spraying with 

 Bordeaux Mixture has been followed with good results. It might be well 

 to apply the mixture also during winter to the trees that have been 

 diseased, to destroy any spores still remaining. All diseased leaves should 

 be burned " (p. 782 I.e.). 



AscocJti/ta j)isi. — This fungoid pest is reported as injurious to Beans in 

 Northamptonshire. 



Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (fig. 8) is reported also as infesting Beans in 

 Sussex. " The presence of the fungus can easily be detected by splitting 

 the stem, when the black sclerotia of various sizes, some nearly as large 

 as a pea, are plainly visible. . . . When an attack is discovered, the 

 diseased stalks should be gathered and burned " (pp. 782-733 I.e.). 



JEcidium gross idarUe. — It is recommended that the recurrence of this 

 common parasite of the Gooseberry might be prevented by collecting and 

 burning the diseased leaves and fruits (p. 784, I.e.). 



Botrytis parasitica is reported as destructive to Tulip bulbs in Here- 

 fordshire. "The sclerotia of the Tulip disease have hitherto been 

 described as growing on the bulbs, but in the specimen examined they 

 appeared in great numbers on the leaves " (pp. 784, 785, I.e.). 



Ovularia laetea. — This leaf parasite was found in Herefordshire 

 infesting the Violet. " The mycelium burrows in the tissue of the leaf 

 and produces on the surface little, erect, delicate branches that bear the 

 colourless spores" (p. 735, I.e.). 



Pcronospora hrassiece. — This was found infesting leaves of the 

 Broccoli, and the flowers of the same plants were attacked by bacteria 

 (p. 785, I.e.). 



(renista tinctoria (Dyer's Green-weed), fig. 6. — When eaten by stock 

 this plant is said to give a disagreeable taste to the butter and milk. " If 



